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The Lehigh Valley Arts Council announces to the community the release of the new ARTix Passport to the Arts, a buy-one, get-one-free ticket to eighteen arts and cultural venues through June 30, 2017. Dance, musical, theatrical, and historical offerings are just some of the travel destinations offered by the passport.

“This year marks the 18th anniversary of this successful arts marketing promotion,” says Randall Forte, Arts Council Executive Director. “The Lehigh Valley Arts Council is proud to provide regional leadership that advances the arts in this growing community.”

Over the years, the Arts Council has increased the circulation of ARTix and opened the door wider for all people to enjoy the arts. Real estate and corporate relocation offices give passports to new residents relocating to the Valley. Local health networks encourage volunteers to enjoy the arts as part of a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the social service sector offers ARTix to their clients with disabilities, allowing them affordable access to disability-friendly events. There is definitely something for everyone to enjoy—from symphonic to folk music, fine arts to vintage cars, Shakespeare to Broadway musicals—fun and entertainment for the entire family.

The most direct way to receive your very own ARTix Passport to the Arts is simply join the Arts Council. An Individual Membership is reasonably priced at $40 annually. With passport in hand, start planning your itinerary today and build your circle of arts friends. Members also receive discounts to workshops and conferences, subscriptions to the bimonthly Inside the Arts, / Arts Calendar and Lehigh Valley Style, and free admission to the annual spring and fall membership receptions.

ARTix Passport is made possible through the support of Christmas City Printing, The County of Lehigh, and The Harry C. Trexler Trust.

GED 2016 Group: Sixty-one students graduated from Montgomery County Community College’s GED program on June 15, 2016. Included in this class is the program’s 1,000th graduate. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

Pottstown, PA — Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) General Education Diploma (GED) program reached a milestone during its annual graduation ceremony on June 15. Among the 61 individuals who earned their diplomas was the program’s 1,000th graduate.

Introduced in 2006, MCCC’s six-week GED program is among the most accelerated in the state. Students spend one week of intensive study in each GED subject—reading and language arts, science, social studies and math—then they take the respective test. The program alternates between day and evening classes every six weeks to accommodate as many students as possible.

The GED program and tests are free to Montgomery County residents, thanks to generous sponsorship from Montco Works, Montgomery County’s Workforce Investment Board. The program costs $100 for out-of-county students.

At least 20 of this year’s graduates are already enrolled in credit courses at MCCC. Graduate speaker Timothy Ream, of Schwenksville, is one of them.

“In the last nine months, I have accomplished more than I did in nine years,” Ream told the audience of graduates, family and friends during his remarks. “I’m currently taking summer classes at Montco, and I have a 3.5 GPA. I know it’s not a 4.0, but it’s better than the 0.6 GPA I left high school with.”

Following his emotion-filled speech, Ream surprised GED Program Coordinator Ed Sasek by presenting him with a plaque on behalf of the graduates.

“This man has dedicated his whole life to adult education,” shared Ream.

MCCC Assistant Professor of Geography Samuel Wallace provided the keynote address, during which he shared the story of his father, who earned his GED after surviving polio.

“My father never attended a year of school, not uncommon in a 1940s Kansas dustbowl,” he said. “After surviving polio, he realized he would never again make money with his legs and back. He got a GED and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in science and engineering.”

Wallace shared that his father wrote the first set of guidelines for federal highway maintenance.

“Your career is not the one you thought you would have when you were 16. A GED is one way to get a second strike at the ball. It’s your jumpstart,” he said.

Janet Rojas, youth research and performance coordinator for Montco Works, presented the graduates with their diplomas. She was joined by Dr. David DiMattio, vice president of the West Campus; Nicole Henderson, dean of student affairs; and Peggy Schmidt, chair of the Workforce Investment Board Youth Council.

In her closing remarks, Schmidt drew applause with a reference to ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” television show.

“You, tonight, have in your hands your own Mirrorball Trophy,” said Schmidt. “You are on the steps of an exciting future. So get out and DANCE!”

Students work with a simulated patient in Montgomery County Community College’s Nursing Laboratory.

Blue Bell, PA — The community is invited to explore nursing career opportunities at Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, during information sessions this summer.

Sessions will be offered on June 15 and June 21 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and on July 27, Aug. 4 and Aug. 10 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. All sessions will be held in room 218 of MCCC’s Advanced Technology Center, except for the July 27 session, which will be held in room 212. Sessions are free of charge and are open to the public. Pre-registration is not required.

During the information sessions, participants will learn about MCCC’s Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Nursing degree program, which prepares graduates for careers as caring, professional nurses who employ critical thinking skills to the nursing process in order to care for clients in a variety of health care settings. Participants will learn about the program’s admissions requirements, competitive application process, laboratory and clinical experiences, and transfer opportunities.

The U.S. Department of Labor projects a higher-than-average 16 percent job growth rate for Registered Nurses (RN) through 2024, due, in part, to increased demand for health care services by an aging population and greater access to health care as result of health care insurance reform.

Blue Bell, PA — Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) will introduce a new Physical Therapist Assistant program starting summer 2017. The 70-credit Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) program will prepare graduates for employment as entry-level physical therapist assistants.

The program will integrate classroom and laboratory instruction with full-time practical clinical experiences. Graduates will be prepared to take the Physical Therapist Assistant National Physical Therapy Examination for state certification and licensure.

According to Robert Cullen, Physical Therapist Assistant program director, the program is composed of two distinct phases. During the Pre-Technical Phase, students complete their general education and foundational requirements at their own pace. Students who successfully complete the first phase may then apply for admission into the highly specialized and competitive full-time Technical/Clinical Phase.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists physical therapist assistant third among the 20 fastest growing occupations nationwide, and employment of physical therapist assistants is projected to grow 41 percent through 2024. Locally, physical therapist assistant is identified as a High Priority Occupation for Montgomery County and the surrounding four-county region.

Physical therapist assistants work under the direction and supervision of licensed physical therapists in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, rehabilitation centers, school systems, sports medicine facilities and private practice.

The Physical Therapist Assistant degree program will be offered at MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell in the new Health Sciences Center, an integrated and active learning environment. Slated for completion in January 2017, the expansion will add 91,000 square feet to the existing 69,000 square-foot Physical Education Center.

The mission of the Health Sciences Center is to position MCCC as the regional leader in health and wellness education to be the catalyst that transforms lives. The center will house MCCC’s athletics programs and wellness center, as well as its existing Health Sciences programs—Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy, Radiography, Surgical Technology, Exercise Science and Wellness, Health and Fitness Professional, and Personal Training, among others. A certificate program in Massage Therapy is also being developed.

Graduation from a physical therapist assistant education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone; 703-706-3245; accredition@apta.org, is necessary for eligibility to sit for the licensure examination, which is required in all states.

Montgomery County Community College is seeking accreditation of the new physical therapist assistant education program from CAPTE. The College will submit an Application for Candidacy, which is the formal application required in the pre-accreditation stage, on March 1, 2017. Submission of this document does not assure that the program will be granted Candidate for Accreditation status. Achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status is required prior to implementation of the Technical Phase of the program; therefore, no students may be enrolled in PTA courses until Candidate for Accreditation status has been achieved. Further, though achievement of Candidate for Accreditation status signifies satisfactory progress toward accreditation, it does not assure that the program will be granted CAPTE accreditation.

Allentown, PA —For the past two seasons, the theatre company Doppelskope has created world-premiere musicals for young audiences at the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre. In 2014, they presented “Gruff!” a troll’s eye view of the story of the three billy goats Gruff, and last season it was “Grimm!” a tale of the storytelling Brothers Grimm and their quest to chase down their escaped stories with the help of a rambunctious little girl.

This season, MSMT and Doppelskope will complete the “Grilogy” with another new show, “Growl!” — playing June 29 through July 30. “Growl!” brings Doppelskope’s energetic, innovative puppetry, lively music, and interactive theatrical spirit to the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Co-authors Ora Fruchter and Christopher Scheer describe “Growl!” as a “zany reinvention” of the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in which a group of woodland creatures has come together to solve a series of break-ins by a certain mysterious blonde figure. They are led by an imaginative young bear who likes to be known as Danger Bear, and who has no time for breakfast while the world needs a hero to make freedom sing in the hearts of all animal-kind.

“Our inspiration always comes from a lot of different sources,” Scheer says. “For ‘Growl!’ we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what made us laugh as children, and what still makes our inner-children laugh now. So as we got ready to write the show, we spent some time researching the cartoons we grew up watching — Chip and Dale, Roadrunner, Bugs Bunny, and lots of other classic cartoons. We like to create comedy that works on at least two levels, so that we can engage adults just as much as we engage kids.”

The eight-member cast of “Growl!” plays an ensemble of woodland animals, who in turn present the story of Goldilocks and the Bear family through puppetry. The cast members also play all the music themselves, on instruments ranging from washboard and stand-up bass to banjo and accordion — all while selling the audience a variety of woodland merchandise such as Hats, Buckets, Porridge, and Four-Month Energy Drink (the alternative to hibernating).

“We want our audiences to laugh in a deep, satisfying way,” Fruchter says. “And we want them to walk away amazed by the possibilities of live theater, puppetry and imagination.”

“Growl!” features a script by Fruchter and Scheer, with music composed by Tony Singer, who also serves as musical director. Fruchter, Scheer and Singer also made up the core creative team for both “Gruff!” and “Grimm!” The team’s show has evolved from recorded musical accompaniment, the first year, to live piano accompaniment last year, to this year’s approach of letting the actors accompany themselves.

“Toby has created this super-catchy, playful score for us,” Scheer says. “And because of our actor-musicians, we’re able to have fantastic live music throughout the show.”

Scheer says that the group’s puppetry has also evolved, both in the design and in performance. The show uses both tabletop puppets, created by Fruchter, and detailed shadow puppetry, projected on giant screens to create “surprisingly cinematic moments” throughout the show.

“We’re really exploring and innovating what’s possible with puppetry on stage,” he says. “We’re learning quite a lot as we experiment, with some really exciting results. Ora’s puppets are beautiful and hilarious. They’re like cartoon characters come to life, and they create this fantastic connection with the audience.”

Young audiences members can participate in a free 45-minute Imagination Workshop, following every performance of “Growl!” Participants will join members of the cast to explore the themes of the show through movement, storytelling, and creative play. Participants can register in advance through the box office or on the MSMT website.

Cast members are available after the show to meet the audience and sign autographs.

A Sensory-Friendly Performance of “Growl!” will be presented on Saturday, July 23 at 1 p.m. The performance will be followed by an interactive Imagination Workshop. Sensory-friendly performances are designed for children with autism and other sensory challenges. At these performances, sound levels are reduced, and startling sounds are avoided; lights remain on at a low level during performance, and strobes and other flashy lights are omitted; patrons are free to talk or leave their seats during the show; and attendance is limited. Social stories will be available in advance from the MSMT website, and the theater staff and cast will receive special training in meeting the needs of patrons with autism and sensory issues.

American Sign Language interpreters will interpret the 10 a.m. performance on Saturday, July 23. The interpreters will be available prior to the show and following the show at the meet-the-cast session and Imagination Workshop. All patrons are welcome to attend.

“Growl!” runs June 29 through July 30 in the Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All tickets to “Growl!” are $10 for June performances and $12 for July performances.

PHOTO: A new plaque outside of the Presidential Reading Room in the Brendlinger Library at Montgomery County Community College’s Central Campus recognizes Richard Montalbano and Deborah Cross for their contributions to the Foundation’s Futures Rising campaign. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

Blue Bell, PA —Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) celebrated the naming of its Presidential Reading Room on June 13 in Blue Bell, thanks to the generosity of Richard Montalbano and Deborah Cross, of Dresher. Their generous pledge to the Student Success Endowed Scholarship as part of the MCCC Foundation’s Futures Rising campaign was commemorated with a plaque.

“The College wholeheartedly thanks Rich and Deb for their generous contribution to the Futures Rising campaign and for their commitment to the success of our students,” shared MCCC President Dr. Kevin Pollock. “For many of our students, a Foundation scholarship is the reason they are able to stay in school and complete their education. By supporting scholarships, Rich and Deb are making a significant and positive impact on the lives of our students.”

Montalbano is a member of MCCC’s Board of Trustees, for which he chairs the Personnel Committee. He also chaired the College’s recent Presidential search.

“I have been involved with MCCC for about a dozen years now, and I am captivated by the unique needs of the student body and the non-traditional students we serve,” said Montalbano. “We are thrilled to provide resources for the students of MCCC to bootstrap themselves into a better future.”

Montalbano has been a hospital administrator for over 40 years, most recently serving as the vice president and project executive for Einstein Healthcare Network. In that capacity, he was part of the leadership team that helped build the new Einstein greenfield hospital and campus in East Norriton.

Cross is an Adult Certified Nurse Practitioner who currently works for Abington Medical Plaza. She previously taught at University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing for 17 years.

Montalbano and Cross have been involved in multiple charitable endeavors, including Impact 100, Habitat for Humanity and healthcare mission trips to Haiti.

Futures Rising, the MCCC Foundation’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, exceeded its $9 million goal to raise a total of $10,526,000 over two years. In addition to establishing 82 new student scholarships, the campaign provided support for key student success initiatives and arts programming, among other areas of need.

BETH HOLLEGER: Beth Holleger is a 2014 graduate of Montgomery County Community College and is entering her senior year at East Stroudsburg University, where she is an early childhood education major. She was a recipient of the Leading Women Scholarship during her time at MCCC. Beth shared her story during the brunch symposium portion of the event on June 6. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

DR. KAREN STOUT: Dr. Karen A. Stout is the President and CEO of Achieving the Dream and is President Emerita of Montgomery County Community College. She provided the keynote address during the brunch symposium portion of the event. Last year, the event was renamed the Karen A. Stout Leading Women Symposium and Golf Experience, which she founded 12 years ago. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

TAMARA ALI: Tamara Ali shared her story with Leading Women participants during the brunch symposium portion of the event on June 6. Ali is a single mother of four who graduated from Montgomery County Community College in May with an associate’s degree in human services. She is a 2015 recipient of the KEYS Scholarship funded by the event. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

LEARNING WOMEN: The Montgomery County Community College Foundation’s Leading Women Symposium and Gold Experience provides women the opportunity to learn golf in a friendly and fun setting. Here, Leading Women Learners are pictured with PGA Professional Instructor Lou Guzzi. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

Ambler, PA —Women helping women—that’s the idea behind the Annual Karen A. Stout Leading Women Symposium and Golf Experience, a marquee fundraising event for the Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) Foundation.

More than 140 female role models came out to support scholarships and programming for MCCC’s female students at the 12th annual event, named in honor of MCCC President Emerita Dr. Karen A. Stout, on June 6 at Talamore Country Club in Ambler. The event raised more than $25,000.

“Since the Leading Women Symposium and Golf Experience started, we have raised more than $300,000!” shared Delores Lare, chair of the Foundation Board of Directors. “In 2015, the event provided $14,000 for seven KEYS Scholarship recipients and $23,000 for 15 Leading Women Scholarship recipients.”

Two of those recipients—Beth Holleger and Tamara Ali—were invited to share their stories during the brunch symposium portion of the event.

Holleger, who graduated from MCCC in 2014 and is entering her senior year at East Stroudsburg University, shared the impact scholarships had on her education.

“It was so incredibly humbling and inspiring to know that people I had never even met were investing in me,” shared the early childhood education major. “When you invest in scholarships, you invest in people. You enrich their lives by giving them a chance at a quality education, and this, in turn, enriches the community.”

Ali, who is a KEYS Scholarship recipient, graduated in May 2016 with an associate’s degree in human services.

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for women such as yourselves,” she told the attendees. “At the very end of my program, my financial aid ran out. If it wasn’t for the Leading Women Scholarship funds, I would still be struggling to pay for my education. The scholarship allowed me to pay for my education, eliminate stress, bury the burden of unpaid tuition and focus on completing my goals!”

Leading Women arose from conversations between Dr. Stout and Deb Takes, who, with a dynamic group of female leaders affectionately referred to as the “founding mothers,” started a Woman-Owned Business Network and a course, “Starting a Successful Woman-Owned Business,” to support female entrepreneurs.

The motivation behind the golf portion of the event is the need to break down gender barriers that may exist for women in business. As such, Leading Women is not your typical golf fundraiser. Because business deals and networking often occur on the golf course, the event has a unique learner portion, during which participants learn the fundamentals of the game. As learners get taught how to chip, putt and drive, foursomes of more experienced golfers—many of whom started as learners—play in a scramble format.

Dr. Stout, who now serves as president and CEO of Achieving the Dream, a national student success reform network, delivered a keynote address that focused on ways in which organizations and individuals can move out of their comfort zones and move into learning zones.

“As philanthropists, we need to think not in terms of empowering female students, but in how we can break down barriers that prevent them from succeeding,” she said. “We need to unlock the transformative power of education for those who need it most and can contribute back in meaningful ways in their community.”

The organizing committee for 2016 Leading Women Golf Symposium was led by two MCCC alumna and Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, Cindi Diccianni and Pat Nunan, both of whom are business owners.

The Lehigh Valley has a rich and diverse arts culture, but too often those experiences were closed to people with disabilities. Thankfully, that has begun to change. During this inaugural year, the attendance and the number of disability-friendly events exceeded goals by 25% –demonstrating both a strong need to expand services and a willingness to participate. Thirty cultural organizations teamed up with social service agencies to present sensory-friendly performances for children with autism; dance classes for Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers; audio-described and open-captioned theatrical performances; lectures; exhibitions; poetry readings; film screenings; and public meetings. (589 people with disabilities attended fifty disability-friendly events, accompanied by 705 family members and friends.)

There is really so much to be proud of! The scope of the initiative and the breadth of support speak to the power of the arts to bring people together. And I am pleased to announce that the Arts Council Board of Directors voted at their March meeting to make the program a permanent one, Arts & Access Always.Randall Forte, Executive Director

WORKSHOP ADDED: Last Call for a Free PPA Grant Workshop!

Calling all artists, community groups and arts organizations of the Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties!

Applications are now being accepted for thePennsylvania Partners of the Arts(PPA) Project Stream Grant, which awards up to $2,500 to eligible individuals, community groups, and non-profit organizations to conduct arts projects which have a significant public component.

Registration for the final Project Stream grant writing workshops is recommended but not required. To register, please email the Lehigh Valley Arts Council’s new PPA Coordinator Zach Kleemeyer at PPA@LVArtsCouncil.org.

A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION! Red, White & Blue

Tuesday, June 14th will certainly be a night to remember! Our Red, White & Blueevent, welcoming comedian Josh Blue to the Lehigh Valley, will celebrate the community and reflect on the successes of Arts & Access.

Tickets are now being mailed to those people who have submitted RSVPs for the event. These tickets are necessary for entry!

Some things to note for our guests:

The event will take place at the Williams Center for the Arts at Lafayette College at 7:00 p.m. (317 Hamilton Street, Easton, PA 18042).

If you require any accommodations, please arrive at least 40 minutes before the event (6:20 p.m.) so we may seat you comfortably. Your driver may drop you off in front of the theatre, and a greeter will usher you to your seat.

Blue Bell, PA — Montgomery County Community College’s Center for Workforce Development (CWD) is offering several fast-track certificate programs this summer to help individuals train for careers as office assistants and pharmacy technicians. To learn more, visit mc3.edu.

Office Assistant Certificate Program

Students in MCCC’s 16-week, competency-based Office Assistant Certificate program learn critical computer literacy and other skills expected by employers in business environments. Course modules include Business Software Essentials, Microsoft Word Applications and Modern Office Management. The program also provides built-in job placement assistance and a coach to guide students through the training and certificate completion.

This summer, MCCC’s Office Assistant Certificate Program runs from June 13 to Oct. 3. Classes are primarily taught online, with mandatory, on-campus workshops on Monday, June 13, 6-9 p.m.; Tuesday, July 26, 1-4 p.m.; Tuesday, Aug. 30, 1-4 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 3, 6-9 p.m. Optional open computer labs are available on Mondays from 6-9 p.m. and Tuesdays from 1-4 p.m. All workshops and open computer labs are held at MCCC’s Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell.

After completing the certificate program, students may pursue the Microsoft Office Specialist certification exam for Microsoft Word 2013. This sought-after credential provides students with marketable skills that will further increase their chances for employment. In addition, students who complete the certificate can apply the courses to MCCC’s Office Management credit certificate program.

The cost of the Office Assistant Certificate program is $495, which includes instruction, workshops, course textbooks and the Microsoft Office Certification exam fee. Deferred payment is available to those who qualify. To learn more or to apply, call 215-619-7331 or email ghines@mc3.edu.

The Office Assistant Certificate Program is offered through the national Job Ready, Willing and Able (JRWA) Initiative, which is funded by a three-year grant from the Walmart Foundation and is led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

Pharmacy Technician Program

MCCC’s Pharmacy Technician program prepares students to work in the pharmacy field and to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s national exam, among other national and state certifications. The courses cover key topics such as pharmacy calculations; medical terminology; skills to read and interpret prescriptions; review of the top 200 drugs; skills to identify drugs by generic and brand names; dosage calculations, IV flow rates, drug compounding and dose conversions; the dispensing of prescriptions; inventory control; and billing and reimbursement.

This summer, the Pharmacy Technician Program runs from June 21 to Aug. 9. Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9:30 p.m. at MCCC’s Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The cost is $1,995, which includes the course textbook. The program is approved by PA Career Link for students who qualify. Students should have, or be pursing, a high school diploma or GED to enroll. To learn more or to register, call 215-461-1127 or email grossett@mc3.edu.

Jeremy Wang, of Collegeville, in 10th grade at Methacton High School, won first place in the Senior Winds Division of the 74th Annual Tri-County Youth Festival.

Patrick Li, of Audubon, in 7th grade at Arcola Middle School, won first place in the Junior Winds Division of the 74th Annual Tri-County Youth Festival.

Flutist Kara Yoo and violinist Sophia Yoo, of Souderton, won second place in the Senior Ensemble Division of the 74th Annual Tri-County Youth Festival. The sisters are home-schooled.

Blue Bell, PA — Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) will host the Tri-County Concerts Association’s 74th Annual Youth Festival Concert on Saturday, June 11, at 7 p.m. in the Science Center Theater, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. Tickets cost $10 and will be available at the door; students and children are admitted free of charge.

The Tri-County Concerts Youth Festival is one of the area’s most prestigious competitions for aspiring young classical musicians living in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Since 1943, the festival has been a stepping-stone to achievement for many emerging young artists, several of whom are now current and retired members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. This year, Festival participants will perform works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Ravel and Tchaikovsky, among others.

Many Montgomery County students won top prizes in this year’s Tri-County Youth Festival and will perform at the concert.

Alto saxophonist Jeremy Wang of Collegeville, in 10th grade at Methacton High School, won first place in the Senior Winds Division. Another alto saxophonist, Patrick Li of Audubon, in 7th grade at Arcola Middle School, won first place in the Junior Winds Division. Sisters Kara and Sophia Yoo of Souderton, who are home-schooled, both won second place in the Senior Ensemble Division as a flute and violin duo.

Many other Montgomery County students won honorable mention at the auditions. They include:

Allentown, PA — Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre’s 2016 season will feature some familiar faces for fans of last summer’s “Hello, Dolly!” Mia Scarpa and Jarrod Yuskauskas return this summer for “Gypsy,” the beloved musical the New York Times calls “the greatest of all American musicals.” The show runs June 15 through July 3.

“Gypsy” kicks off a summer season that will also feature the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, “In the Heights,” by Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer of the current Broadway smash “Hamilton,” playing July 13-31. The season also features the world premiere family musical “Growl!” an irreverent adaptation of the story of Goldilocks and the three bears, created by the theatre company Doppelskope. “Growl!” plays June 29 through July 30.

Arguably one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals, “Gypsy” adapts burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee’s sensational autobiography into a sultry, campy tour-de-force about show business, ambition, and motherhood. The score, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, features such classics as “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Together Wherever We Go.”

Mia Scarpa returns to the MSMT stage to play Mama Rose, the most notorious of all stage moms, after an acclaimed run in the title role of last summer’s “Hello, Dolly!” She plays opposite Jarrod Yuskauskas in the role of Herbie. Last summer, The Press Newspapers noted that “the repartee between Scarpa and Yuskauskas is priceless.”

In the starring role of Louise — based on Gypsy Rose Lee herself — recent Muhlenberg graduate Lillian Pritchard takes the stage following a turn as Roxie Hart in this season’s sold-out run of “Chicago” on the Muhlenberg stage.

The production also features MSMT mainstay Neil Hever, returning to the role of Pop that he first played in the 1993 MSMT production of the show.

Also featured in the cast are six young actors from the Lehigh Valley Community: Jenna Seasholtz as Baby June; Anna Edwards as Baby Louise: and ensemble members Elijah Albert-Stein, Aaron Finkle, Robert Pierno, and Robert Stinner.

“Gypsy” also reunites the production team from “Hello, Dolly!” — director Charles Richter, choreographer Karen Dearborn, and musical director Michael Schnack. Richter, the founding artistic director of the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre, is in his 36th season with the festival.

Audio Description and Open Captioning will be available at the Sunday, June 19 performance of “Gypsy.” Call 484-664-3087 for tickets in the accessible section of this performance. Open Captioning displays lyrics and dialogue via electronic text display visible to the side of the stage, for the benefit of patrons with hearing loss. Audio Description uses the natural pauses in the play to provide a narrative that translates the visual image into an audible form for patrons who are blind or low-vision. Patrons use headsets to hear the audio description.

“Gypsy” runs June 15 – July 3; “In the Heights” runs July 13-31. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Both productions are in the Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance.

Ticket prices for both “Gypsy” and “In the Heights” are as follows. For the first four performances: $33 regular admission; seniors, $29; students and children, $18. For the remaining 11 performances: $39 regular admission; seniors, $36; students and children, $20. Subscriptions to both shows are available.

“Growl!” runs June 29 through July 30 in the Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance. Performances are Wednesday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m, and Saturday at 10 a.m. only. All tickets to “Growl!” are $10 for June performances and $12 for July performances.